While Vijender has had it easy so far ever since he turned professional last year, Hope certainly engages to be his biggest challenge to date. This is evident from the fact that the latter has played five times the matches as the former, and also holds a rich experience of 180 rounds against Vijender’s 17.

This, however, would matter little when he squares off at the Thyagraja Stadium in his hometown Delhi on Saturday. Here’s why Vijender’s winning streak will continue past this weekend…

THE BIG RIGHT HAND

Some pugilists like Anthony Joshua and Manny Pacquio are gifted with an authoritative right hand. Vijender is considered one amongst those. All of his six opponents so far – Sonny Whiting, Dean Gillen, Samet Hyuseinov, Alexander Horvath, Matiouze Royer, and Andrjez Soldra have bore the brunt of exposing themselves to one. No wonder, Hope’s got to find a way to dodge the bullets.

Hope will not only have to battle it out with Vijender, but also with the ringside partisan crowd. With the local boy’s aura sure to attract thousands of spectators, the chants of “Vijender… Vijender” could well create psychological pressure for the visitor.

ENDURANCE

No matter how strong a boxer you are, if you can’t take a few blows on your chin, you are sure to crash on to the ground sooner or later. This, however, is not the case with Vijender. The 30-year-old is also known for his durability. As Jordan Thompson – a cruiserweight who also spars with Vijender – puts it up: “Vijender has got some chin.”

INTENSE TRAINING

Vijender has had to undergo intense training sessions in order to amend his game to tackle a southpaw. According to his trainers Lee Beard and Haroon Headley, the six footer spars for 12 rounds with three different southpaws. Amazing, isn’t it!

Hope may be a former EBU European middleweight champion, but his low KO record (7%) in victories and high KO record in losses (57%) reflects his vulnerability against hard-punchers. Moreover, the 34-year-old has moved up a category from his natural physique of a middleweight; and it’s not an obscure fact that boxers find it difficult to vie with naturally bigger players.